The Springboks can climb into the top three of the World Rugby rankings with a big win over Wales on Saturday, as the pecking order is poised for a dramatic change.
World Rugby on Friday published the latest rankings on the eve of this weekend’s World Cup warm-up matches.
Defending world champions, the fourth-ranked Boks lock horns with the Welsh Dragons in Cardiff, and a win for the South Africans would mean they will rise at least one place and move ahead of third-placed France, even if Les Bleus are victorious against Fiji.
Ireland, the world’s top-ranked team since last year, could see their supremacy toppled by the All Blacks should Andy Farrell’s charges stumble against England in Dublin.
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Should Ireland lose by more than 15 points against England and Wales succumb to the Boks, coupled with a victory for the French, the Irish could drop three spots.
Meanwhile, England will climb from sixth if the Roses clinch a win by a similar margin against Ireland.
The Millennium Stadium showdown with the Boks is pivotal for Wales, too, as a commanding victory of over 15 points against SA, alongside a French win, could propel them to seventh place.
And, the Fijians eye their highest-ever ranking – if the Pacific Islanders beat Les Bleus by more than 15 points and Ireland replicates the feat against England, Fiji could claim a historic sixth place.
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